The Most Difficult Rope-less Climb in History | Alex Honnold on 2,500-Ft “El Sendero Luminoso”

On January 15, 2014, Alex Honnold free-soloed “El Sendero Luminoso” (The Shining Path) in El Portero Chico, Mexico in a little over 3 hours.

The climb rises 2,500 vertical feet to the summit of El Toro.

It could be the most difficult rope-less climb in history.

There is only one constant to human behaviors:  the desire to always push boundaries.  This behavior is evolutionarily supported as it has consistently lead us to new zones with new plants, new animals, new waters, new climates, new mates, and new opportunities.  For millions of years this behavior of pushing ourselves has paid off.

Our world has changed, but this ancient human behavior hasn’t.  Many people will ask why Alex Honnald climbs routes like this unroped.  The answer is already inside you.  His, your, and my genes are all telling us to explore, to take risk, and to push back any boundaries that thwart our Shining Path.